Ally fans get a Web tour
Three companies have banded together to enable fans of the TV show “Ally McBeal” to get an on-line tour of the set. Be Here, a provider of 360-degree live Internet technology, Fox.com and Intel Corp. announced that set tours will be available throughout the show’s 2001 season. The technology used – Be Here’s iVideo and Intel’s Streaming Web video software-will reportedly enable fans to see the sets through the eyes of the actors, allowing them to feel like they are cast members. Fans will also control what they see on the five sets, including the office, the ‘Unisex’/bathroom, courtroom, bar and Ally’s apartment. Users will have the choice of logging on to www.allymcbeal.com or www.fox.com to get their peeks at the Ally set.
You can’t keep a secret from the CIA…
A group of U.S. Central Investigation Agency (CIA) employees were reprimanded after a seven-month investigation revealed that an unauthorized chat room had been operated by some of the agency’s employees and contractors for more than 10 years. Four employees were fires, about a dozen were suspended, and the CIA revoked the security clearances of none private contractors for what it called “inappropriate e-mail.” Letters of warning were also sent to out to about 80 other employees who were involved in the secret CIA chat room. The CIA reportedly said that the punishments were handed down mainly because the organizers deliberately deceived their superiors.
Get superhero access with MarvelOnline
A provider of branded Internet services, IConnect.com Inc., has introduced a new Internet service provider which it developed with Marvel Enterprises Inc. Marvel is the publisher of comic books such as Spider Man and The X-Men. Through the new ISP, MarvelOnline.net, users are able to get branded e-mail addresses and community features. The cost for unlimited access is US$19.95 per month, but there is also a “bring your own access” option available for US$4.95 per month, which allows users to join without having to ditch their existing ISPs. The set-up software can be downloaded, or a CD-ROM can be ordered.
Pharmaceutical company goes on-line
Toronto based Aventis Pasteur Limited, a vaccine manufacturer, last month announced that it launched VaccineShoppeCanada.com with the help of SAP Canada Inc. The new e-commerce site will enable registered health care professionals across Canada to make their vaccine purchases on-line. Aventis Pasteur Inc., the company’s American counterpart, launched its site in the U.S., VaccineShoppe.com, in March of last year. A second site, Travelvacs.com, was also launched. It offers information to consumers regarding travel vaccines. Aventis Pasteur indicated that it will eventually offer its entire product line through its Web site.
Spreading a little SUNshine to the military
Canadian military head honchos have reversed a previous decision to forbid soldiers access to the SUNshine Boys and girls. Soldiers using defence department computers in Canada and overseas are apparently only able to access CANOE through the military’s controlled intranet. According to an article published on CANOE.ca, the sections of the Web site featuring the daily pin-up men and women was shut down to soldiers by low-level military officials. The article also says that a spokesperson said the access was originally cut off to avoid any harassment suits.
The horror! King puts serial in hiatus status
Stephen King has put his on-line serial novel, “The Plant,” on hold for an undetermined period while he devotes his time to other projects, according to the author’s Web site. King launched his on-line experiment last July, making portions of his novel available for download on an honour system, which asked readers to pay US$1 for the first installment. The price went up to US$2 for the fourth part, and Part six will be free. While about 75 per cent of readers respected the honour system in the beginning, it has been reported that only 46 per cent of readers paid for the latest installment offered on the site.